Integrated autism care model helps families address ADHD and other co-occurring conditions

DENVER, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of ADHD Awareness Month, Soar Autism Center today shared early results from its developmental pediatrics program, which embeds specialized medical services within autism therapy teams.

• 600 children have received developmental pediatrics consultations through Soar since launch (fall 2025).
• The vast majority of newly enrolled families offered the service have chosen to schedule a consultation.
• 265+ genetic test orders have been submitted by Soar’s developmental pediatrics team, based on clinical assessment and family consent.
• Soar places developmental pediatrics providers alongside each child’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), speech-language pathologist (SLP), and occupational therapist (OT)

Why is developmental pediatrics hard for families to access?

Access to developmental pediatrics is limited by workforce supply, not by lack of need. An American Academy of Pediatrics workforce analysis found only one developmental-behavioral pediatric subspecialist for every 100,000 U.S. children and described the workforce as markedly inadequate. A national study of developmental pediatrics programs affiliated with U.S. children’s hospitals found average estimated waits of 5.4 months for initial evaluations, with specialists concentrated in urban areas.

How does Soar’s integrated model work? 

Soar addresses that gap through an uncommon model that places developmental pediatrics providers alongside each child’s BCBA, SLP, and OT. Up to 95% of children with autism have at least one other co-occurring condition. Soar’s developmental pediatrics team supports care coordination, medication management, laboratory evaluation, and outside referrals when appropriate, complementing, not replacing, a child’s primary care clinician and other specialists. 

Beyond expanding access to developmental pediatrics, Soar also helps enrolled families access recommended genetic evaluation, navigate the process of testing, and connect the results to the child’s broader care. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends offering genetic evaluation to families of children with autism, but insurance authorization, test selection, interpretation, and follow-up can make testing difficult to obtain. 

Diagnosing ADHD and autism
During ADHD Awareness Month, Soar is highlighting ADHD as one example of why integrated medical and autism therapy teams matter. A national population-based study estimated that 43.8% of U.S. children with autism also had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Treating ADHD in an autistic child can be complex because attention, regulation, communication, sensory experiences, and responses to treatment can interact differently for each child.

“Treating ADHD in an autistic child is not the same as treating ADHD in isolation,” said Alexandra “Lexi” Vierling, CPNP, PMHS, Head of Medical Services at Soar Autism Center. “Challenges with attention or regulation may also be influenced by communication differences, sensory experiences, sleep, and other factors. When families, therapists, and medical providers compare what they are seeing across settings, we can better understand what may be driving those challenges and develop a coordinated plan that supports the child’s daily life and therapy goals.”

How can families and providers learn more?
Families and referring providers can learn more about Soar’s integrated model, including developmental pediatrics services available as part of care for enrolled children, or submit a referral for Soar’s early autism therapy programs at https://soarautismcenter.com.

About Soar Autism Center
Soar Autism Center provides comprehensive early autism care for children up to age 6. Its integrated model includes autism therapy based on the Early Start Denver Model, speech therapy, occupational therapy, diagnostic evaluations and developmental pediatric medical services. Soar operates centers across Arizona, Colorado, Maryland and Pennsylvania, where it operates CHOP-Soar Autism Centers in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

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SOURCE Soar Autism Center